Summer Species MarathonKevin Gleed | First Published: December 2005

With summer kicking right into gear, there are plenty of fishing options available for locals, visitors and those who like to casually wet a line and spend a few relaxing hours on the water.

Fanatical anglers especially look forward to this time of year with action on most species improving as the days lengthen and the water warms up.

Bass fishing is in full swing with the water temperature in the local creeks and rivers to their liking.

Surface lures are catching plenty of fish of an afternoon and through until dusk. The evenings when the flying ants (termites) are out and about are some of the best.

Game fishos look forward to these months as the water warms and yellowfin tuna, albacore, striped tuna, marlin and sharks become targets. Boats venturing out wide are already reporting some good catches of yellowfin.

Snapper, morwong, trevally and leatherjackets are still in good numbers on the inshore reefs with tiger and sand flathead coming from the recognised grounds as well.

A useful bottom-bouncing tactic is to employ a two-hook rig with a soft plastic on the top hook and a bait strip of squid, pilchard or similar on the bottom hook. You might just be surprised at how many fish grab the plastic.

Salmon are being caught on local beaches and I predict they will be around all summer as the winter was unusually slow for these fish. That comes as no surprise as I’ve heard reports of salmon being caught in numbers to Yamba and beyond, blowing the theory that they are a cold-water fish.

Flathead action in the Wonboyn and Kiah rivers has really picked up with fish falling to soft plastics and fresh mullet, nippers and the like. When using soft plastics it pays to try several colours to find the lure most appealing on the day.

Silver trevally, yellowfin bream, whiting, tailor and the odd flounder are all on the list in the estuaries over the coming months.

The weed beds around the river entrances are good places to throw a soft plastic as silver trevally, flathead and tailor patrol the weed looking for a feed. A lure that jiggles its way just above the weed will be mistaken for a small prawn or baitfish.

It won’t be long before the prawns start moving in the rivers so now is the time to make sure the prawning net and the light are in good condition and ready to go.